Forty-six years ago saw the first manned landing on the Moon and the return of the first lunar samples. Since then a vast database has been accumulated with many ideas published on lunar petrogenesis, yet important problems recognized in early days remain under-addressed. In this paper, we first review these problems and emphasize that these problems need resolving before genuine progress can be made. We then discuss that contrary to the prevalent view, the available data do not show the presence of a strong positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* > 1) in the lunar highland crust, but a weak negative one (Eu/Eu* < 1) if any. This observation weakens the plagioclase flotation hypothesis, which is the very foundation of the prevailing lunar magma ocean (LMO) hypothesis. Recent success in the determination of abundant water in lunar glasses and minerals confirms the prediction in the early days of lunar research that the Moon may have been a water-rich planet and may still be so in its interior, which disfavors the dry Moon hypothesis, weakens the LMO hypothesis, and questions many related lunar petrogenesis interpretations. Volatilization (into the vacuum-like lunar “atmosphere”) of lunar magmatism during its early history could have further facilitated plagioclase crystallization and feldspathic crustal formation. The important role and effect of plagioclase crystallization are best manifested by the significant correlation ( R 2 = 0.983 for N = 21) of Eu/Eu* (0.24–1.10) with Sr/ Sr* (0.10–1.12) defined by the lunar samples. Although the anorthositic lunar highlands are expected to have large positive Eu (Eu/Eu* > 1; ~1.99) and Sr (Sr/Sr* > 1; ~2.56) anomalies, their absence inferred from the global remote sensing data is best explained by the widespread but areally and volumetrically insignificant KREEP-like material that is enriched in K, rare earth elements, and P (hence, KREEP) as well as all other incompatible elements with very strong negative Eu (Eu/Eu* << 1; as low as 0.24) and Sr (Sr/Sr* << 1; as low as 0.10) anomalies. The KREEP-like material may have been produced through fractional crystallization enrichment equivalent to processes in advancing, periodically replenished, periodically tapped, continuously fractionated magma chambers. Compared with magmatic rocks on the Earth, lunar rocks are depleted in moderately volatile elements like P, Na, K, Rb, Cs, etc., probably associated with volatilization during the early history of the lunar magmatism. Further work is needed toward an improved understanding of the origin and evolution of the Moon and its magmatism.

The Gruithuisen region in northern Oceanus Procellarum on the Moon contains three distinctive domes interpreted as nonmare volcanic features of Imbrian age. A 4 d extravehicular activity (EVA), four-astronaut sortie mission to explore these enigmatic features and the surrounding terrain provides the opportunity to address key outstanding lunar science questions. The landing site is on the mare south of Gruithuisen 3 (36.22°N, 40.60°W). From this site, diverse geologic terrains and features are accessible, including highlands, dome material, mare basalts, multiple craters, small rilles, and a negative topographic feature of unknown origin. Preliminary mission planning is based on Clementine multispectral data, Lunar Prospector geochemical estimates, and high-resolution (0.5 m/pixel) stereo images from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Narrow Angle Camera. Science objectives for the mission include: (1) determining the nature of the domes, (2) identifying and measuring the distribution of any potassium, rare earth elements, and phosphorus (KREEP)- and thorium-rich materials, (3) collecting samples for age dating of key units to investigate the evolution of the region, and (4) deploying a passive seismic grid as part of a global lunar network. Satisfying the science objectives requires 7 h, ~20 km round-trip EVAs, and significant time driving on slopes up to ~15°.